Byrne Wants to Bring Fresh Ideas to Board of Selectmen

At 24, Steven Byrne is the youngest candidate to join the race for the . For him, that’s an advantage.

“Being a younger candidate, I can bring in a fresh perspective to the board,” he said.

Byrne works as a legislative aide in the Massachusetts State House, addressing legislative and constituent issues in the 5th Norfolk District. He has spent time in Connecticut working as a field organizer on Ned Lamont’s gubernatorial campaign and Richard Blumenthal’s senatorial campaign.  Byrne also interned in Congressman Stephen Lynch’s Boston office and Congressman Joe Courtney’s Norwich, Conn., office.

“I have all these different experiences in working with public service,” he said. “Yet, other than participating at Town Meeting, I haven’t participated in my community that has given me so much.”

Byrne is the third candidate to have certified signatures. Also on the ballot are School Committee member  and former School Committee member .

They are vying to fill the seats left open by and , who said they would not run for re-election this year.

Two other candidates have show their intention to join the race. A. Michael Ruderman and Robert Tosi Jr. have taken out papers for the race, but are yet to return their signatures.

Byrne is a lifelong Arlington resident. He attended St. Agnes Elementary School and St. Sebastian’s Country Day School. He graduated from Connecticut College in 2010 with a major in Government and a minor in Economics.

He was first elected to Town Meeting in 2009. Byrne’s campaign will host a kick-off fundraised on Feb. 3, 7-10 p.m., at , 19 Prentiss Road, Arlington.

“Arlington is where I grew up, somewhere I am very passionate about,” he said.